enseal, v. arch.
(ɛnˈsiːl)
Forms: 4–5 ensele, (5 enceyl), 6–7 enseal(l)e, 5– enseal. Also 5–7 inseal.
[a. OFr. enseel-er, enceel-er, enseal-er, f. en- (see en-1) + seel (mod. sceau) seal.]
1. trans. To affix a seal to (a document); to attest or confirm by sealing.
| c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 258 Boþe to hold couenanz with scrite enselid þe dede. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. ii. 112 In þe date of þe deuel þis dede I assele [v.r. ensele]. 1443 Test. Ebor. (1855) II. 134 A speciall wille enceylyd with the seale of myn armes. 1466 in Paston Lett. No. 554. II. 284 Divers old deeds, some without date, insealed under autenticke seales. 1574 tr. Littleton's Tenures 107 b, The heire of the disseysour that ensealeth the deede. a 1709 Atkyns Parl. & Pol. Tracts (1734) 175 The Statutes..require Indentures ensealed by the Electors to be tack'd to the Writ. |
| fig. a 1500 Chaucer's Dreme 1016 For every thing he said there, Seemed as it insealed were. 1581 J. Bell Haddon's Answ. Osor. 444 That one onely Sacrifice, which Christ..did enseale, and Ratify with his owne precious body. |
b. To put a seal or stamp upon (a measure or weight) in token of its being up to the standard.
| 1467 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 383 That it be made after the wyght ensealed accordynge to the kynges standard. c 1610 in Gutch Coll. Cur. II. 15 That every Vintner have their pots and their measures sized and insealed after the standard of the University. |
2. To close with a seal, seal up.
| a 1340 Hampole Psalter Prol., Þis boke is cald garthen closed wel enseled. 1465 Paston Lett. No. 502. II. 187 A box enselyd with hys owyn seall. 1613 Sir H. Finch Law (1636) 22 A boxe insealed with charters. 1714 Scroggs Courts-leet (ed. 3) 110 A Box ensealed with writings. 1886 Burton Arab. Nts. (abridged) I. 78 A well-shut house With keyless locks and doors ensealed. |
| fig. c 1374 Chaucer Troylus v. 151 But this enseled [v.r. ensealed] til an other day. |